'Shooter Dadi' Chandro Tomar contracts coronavirus, admitted to hospital
Octogenarian shooter Chandro Tomar, nicknamed "Shooter Dadi," has tested positive for COVID-19 and admitted to a hospital due to difficulty in breathing. The Twitter page of the 89-year-old legendary shooter, hailing from the Baghpat village in Uttar Pradesh, posted: "Dadi Chandro Tomar has tested positive for coronavirus and has been admitted to a hospital due to breathing problems. God protect all - Family."
Here's the tweet
Chandro is believed to be the oldest woman sharpshooter
Chandro was already 60-plus when she picked up the gun for the first time but went on to win many national competitions, even inspiring a Bollywood movie on her. She is believed to be the oldest woman sharpshooter in the world. She took part in several competitions along with her sister Prakashi Tomar, also one of the oldest female sharpshooters in the world.
Prakashi also featured in the movie based on their lives
The film based on their life was titled Saand Ki Aankh and starred Bhumi Pednekar and Taapsee Pannu in lead roles. Prakashi also featured in the movie. Both the women broke all kinds of stereotypes, including battling patriarchy.
Chandro won several medals into her 60s
While the men at home objected to their shooting, they were helped by their sons, daughters-in-law, and granddaughters as they would quietly sneak out of the house to practice the sport in a nearby range. Once she got hooked on to the sport, there was no looking back as she went on to win medals at numerous competitions, all coming into her 60s.
'Shooter Dadi' has been honored with Stree Shakti Samman award
Shooter Dadi won many awards in the senior citizen category including the Stree Shakti Samman presented by the President of India himself. Her story about being introduced to the sport is fascinating. She had picked up a rifle by chance after a younger member of the family expressed her interest in enrolling herself at a newly-built shooting range in their village.
India reported over 3.23 lakh new COVID-19 cases on Monday
Accompanying their daughter to the range, they picked up the gun, pulled the trigger, took a shot, and impressed the coach in the range. They welcomed the actresses portraying them in the biopic in their village, where they had stayed for some time and observed their mannerisms, and tried to learn their dialect. Meanwhile, India reported over 3.23 lakh new COVID-19 cases on Monday.
